Antenna device



Dec. 9, 1941f c. B. ASKE, JR 2,265,794

ANTENNA DEVICE Filed Oct. 7, 1940 INVENTOR B Y (jar/as 5 fislg PatentedDec. 9, 1941 ANTENNA DEVICE Charles B. Aske, Jr., Detroit, Mich.,assignor to Monarch Governor Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation ofMichigan Application October 7, 1940, Serial No. 360,005

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved vehicle radio antenna and moreparticularly to a novel antenna for use on an automobile or like vehiclein conjunction with a radio receiving set.

Previously known radio antennae of the sectional and extensible typehave been subject to rattle, especially when the sections thereof werein fully or partially retracted position. This was due to the face thatthe tubular sections were flexible and had a relatively loose fit onewithin the other throughout a major portion of their length. Thesections would strike one another when subjected to vibration set up bythe motion of the vehicle to which the antenna was applied and alsobecause of wind conditions. In an effort to correct or minimize thisundesirable condition, one end of the outer tubular section was swagedinwardly to a smaller diameter to match the outer or overall diameter ofthe inner section; or the opposite end of the inner tubular section wasswaged outwardly to match the inner diameter of the outer tube section.Notwithstanding the relatively tight fit or joints at the section ends,such known antennae would rattle and make metallic noises and soundswhich interfered with and prevented proper and desirable radioreception. Antennae of this general nature presented, moreover, aserious and objectionable condition which was detrimental to theadjustment of the sections because of the fact that the relatively tightjoints provided at the ends of the sections would become wedged or stuckfast when the sections were fully extended or projected. Because of thiscondition it often became necessary to deliver a blow with an instrumentto the topmost or outer section to release or free the stuck parts andpermit shortening or collapsing of the antenna. Further attempts weremade to prevent rattle between the sections or parts of previousantennae structures by employing liquid between the sections or springsin conjunction therewith with a View to reducing or eliminating rattles.Such structures were unsatisfactory from a practical standpoint forvarious reasons. They were expensive to manufacture and dificult toassemble. Furthermore, because of the particular shape and conformationof the ends of the sections, which were fashioned to provide tightjoints or connections therebetween, it was necessary to employ tubularsections or rods of relatively large diameter which, obviously, requiredthe use of a greater amount of material and thus increased the cost ofmanufacture.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedsectional radio antenna requiring a relatively small amount of materialto manufacture, thus materially reducing production costs, and one inwhich the sections or telescopic parts of the antenna have bearingportions which extend substantially throughout the length thereof toprevent rattle of theparts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsectional extensible and contractible radio antenna for use inconjunction with a radio receiving set of a motor vehicle in which thesections are of relatively small diameter and have a relatively tight orsnug fit throughout their entire, or at least a major portion, of theirlength, and in which the joints or connections between the sections areso formed as to prevent any binding action between the parts which wouldrender it difficult to project or retract the sections, but which serveto hold said sections in their various positions of adjustment againstaccidental relative movement or displacement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna of theforegoing character having relatively few parts, and one in which, byvirtue of its novel structure and arrangement of parts, is free fromobjectionable noise and rattle while at the same time permitting thesections to be freely adjusted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sectional radioantenna of the foregoing character in which the parts thereof aresupported in telescoping relation, and in which the slidable section orsections of the antenna are formed fromspring metal havingcharacteristics of expansion and contraction sufficient to hold thesections together in various positions of adjustment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sectionalradio antenna having means to prevent rotation of the parts relative toone another, one which is easy to assemble and to install in a vehiclebody, and one which can be produced at a relatively low cost.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will appearfrom the following description and appended claims when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of thisspecification wherein like reference characters designatecorrespondingparts in the several views.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an enclosed vehicle bodyshowing one application thereto of the radio antenna embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, of the radioantenna shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially along the line 33 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the area defined by thecircle A of Fig. 2, and

showing in detail one of the joints or connections of the antenna ofFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken substantially along the line 5-5 ofFig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line 6--6 ofFig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken substantially along the line l! ofFig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken substantially along the line 83 ofFig. 4, looking "in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of one end of an internal sectionor member of the antenna of Fig. 4,'prior to assembly.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose 'of description and not 'oflimitation, audit is not intendedto limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of theprior art.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a fragment or portion of aconventional vehicle body B of the enclosed type. The body includes adoor it, a cowl i I having side panel portions 52, one "of which isshown.

The improved radio antenna of the present invention, shown as 'a wholeat C in Figs. 1 and 2, is preferably attached to or mounted upon thepanel I2 50 as to be supported in an upright position. The lower end ofthe antenna, as shown, is supported by a socket portion formed in abracket member I3, the lower or main section of the antenna having beenfirst passed through an opening i5 formed in a bracket member or supportIt (see Fig. 3')- section or tubular member it of the antenna receivesand slidably supports a second section or tubular member H, which inturn carries a slidable rod or section It having a cap piece or ball itat its upper or outer end. These members or sections of the antenna arearranged in telescoping relation and may be collapsed or extended tosuit the particular requirements of the radio reception desired.

As seen in Fig. 3, the bracket it is held in position upon the panel i2by means ofa bolt having a threaded inner end and eye .or ring portion2| at its outer end. The base of the bracket is insulated from the outerface of the panel !2 by a rubber washer or seal 22 and the bolt isinsulated from said panel by means of a disk-like rubber washer or seal.23. The main section it of the antenna extends through the eye 2! andwhen thenut 24 is tightened to draw the bolt 20 inwardly, the section 16will be caused to engage and bind against the adjacent wall of .thebracket opening HE. A second or lock nut 25 is threaded onto the boltand serves to 'hold or ciamp a wire terminal or contact '21 in positionbetween the two nuts. The terminal or contact 2'5 is mounted on one endof a lead-in cable 'or conductor 25: to a radio receiving set 28. Byvirtue of the socketed base supporting bracket or member 53 and thebracket M, the main section It of the antenna is held or clamped in Themain portion of the length of the tube or member It.

The member It contains a bushing member or sleeve 32 which, as shown, isdisposed Within the bore above the upper ends of the keyways SI andwhich may have a press fit with the tubular member [6 to maintain it inplace. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper end of the section or member I6 isprovided with an inturned flange I6a which will prevent the outward 0rupward movement or displacement of the sleeve 32. If desired, however,the sleeve or bushing may be welded to the member It, in which case, ifdesired, the flange Iiia could be omitted.

The second section or tubular member H of the antenna is, as shown,provided with a -pair of external longitudinally extending ribs, lugs,or enlargements 33 which are disposed at diametrically opposed sides ofthe member. These lugs orproj'ections 33 may be formed or pressed fromthe metal of the section H or, if desired, they may be separate partssecured to said section in any suitable manner, as by means of Welding.As best seen inF-igsdand 5, the projections 3-3 are adapted to engage inthe slots or keyways 3| and-aresl-idabie therein when the section I7 ismoved relative'to the main section H5. The sections cannot, however, berotated relatively to one another.

The-tubular member or section ll has a saw cut pr kerf extendinginwardly or upwardly'from its lower or inner end as shown at 34. Sincethe section I! is formed from spring metal, the tendency'of the lowerend portions or depending members 35 thereof located at opposite sides01! the slot 35, is to expand or to normally remain in spread orunstressed condition, as best seen in Fig. 9. While the member i1 is, asstated above, formed from spring metal, it is sufficiently stiif tofrictionally engage the inner Walls of the section or member i6 when theparts are assembled, with sufficient pressure to forestall any tendencyof the sections to rattle.

While I'ha-ve described only the joint or connection between thesections 1-6 and H, as seen within the circle it will be understood thata similar joint orconnection is provided between the tubular section I?and the rod section 18, this second joint being shown generally within'thecircle D,'Fig. 2.

The section-a1 antenna of the present invention is preferably assembledby inserting the rod 1 3 into the section I? from the bottom of saidsection, after which the assembled sections 11 and 5 8 are inserted inthe tubular section [6 from the bottom Or inner end of the section it.Thereafter the ball or cap piece it may be applied to the upper or outerend of the rod section it. When the spread ends '35 of section I! are.moved into the bore 33 of section i6, they Will-be pressed or sprunginwardly to frictionally engage, under tension, the inner walls of saidsection 56. The similarly formed ends of the section It will do likewisewhen moved into the bore of section 11. When the sections of the antennaare in their fully extended or projected position, the lugs or keys 33will engage the "lower end of the bushing or sleeve 32, therebypreventing the outward or upward extension or projection of the movablemembers beyond the position of the parts as shown in Fig. 4. Thus, thepairs of lugs or projections 33 not only serve to guide the movablesections of the antenna in a longitudinal direction during adjustment,as Well as to prevent relative rotation of the sections, but alsoprovide, in conjunction with the internal sleeves or bushings 32, stopmeans to prevent the sections from being separated or projected beyond apredetermined position.

The antenna as described above, after having been assembled as abovestated, is attached or applied to the supporting brackets I3 and id asabove described.

The members or sections of the antenna of the present invention have arelatively tight or snug fit one with the other throughout their lengthand are provided with parts or portions which are held under tensionwhen the sections of the antenna are assembled, and which function tohold the movable parts in their various adjusted positions, therebyproviding a much more desirable and rattle proof structure than hasheretofore been possible. Moreover, and notwithstanding the relativelytight fit between the parts, the sections of the antenna may be moved oradjusted relatively to one another with ease and facility. Furthermore,by virtue of the improved joints or connections between the members ofthe present antenna, the possibility of binding, wedging, or stickingtogether of the sections thereof is entirely eliminated. As is wellknown, considerable difliculty has been experienced with previousantennae of the adjustable sectioned type due to binding or freezing ofthe parts.

I claim:

1. A radio antenna structure for use on a vehicle in conjunction with aradio receiving set, comprising a main tubular metal sectioninsulatingly attached to the vehicle body, said section w having a pairof internal opposed keyways extendin longitudinally thereof throughout aportion of its length, a slidable tubular section telescoped within saidmain section and having a pair of diametrically opposed lugs engageablewith and movable in said keyways, a rod section slidably mounted in saidslidable tubular section, and a bushing disposed within said mainsection and located at one end of said keyways whereby to form a tightconnection between said parts and to provide a stop engageable by saidlugs for limiting the outward movement of said slidable section relativeto said main section, certain of said sections having tensioned meansengaging the walls of the other sections to frictionally hold thesections in their various positions of adjustment.

2'. A radio antenna structure for use on a vehicle in conjunction with aradio receiving set, comprising a main tubular metal sectioninsulatingly attached to the vehicle body, said section having a pair ofinternal opposed keyways extending longitudinally thereof throughout aportion of its length, a slidable tubular section telescoped within saidmain section and having a pair of diametrically opposed lugs engageablewith and movable in said keyways, said slidable tubular section having apair of internal diametrically opposed longitudinal keyways intermediateits ends, a rod section slidably mounted in said slidable tubularsection, a pair of diametrically opposed lugs on the exterior of saidrod adjacent its lower end engageable in said last named keyways,bushings disposed within said main and slidable sections located at oneend of each of said keyways, said bushings providing bearings for thesections and stops engageable by said lugs for limiting the upwardmovement of said sections, and means normally held under tension andforming a part of said sections for maintaining the sections againstaccidental movement relative to one another.

3. A radio antenna structure for use on a vehicle in conjunction with aradio receiving set, comprising a main section and a slidable sectiontelescoped within the main section, a pair of keyways formed in saidmain section and extending longitudinally thereof, a bushing carried bythe main section and positioned at one end of said keyways, and a pairof lugs formed on said slidable section and engageable in said keyways,the inner end of said slidable section being bifurcated to provideportions normally held under tension and frictionally engaging the mainsection to hold said sections in various adjusted positions.

4. A radio antenna structure for use on a vehicle in conjunction with aradio receiving set, comprising a main section and a slidable sectiontelescoped within the main section, a pair of keyways formed in saidmain section and extending longitudinally thereof, a bushing carried bythe main section and positioned above said keyways, and a pair of lugsformed on said slidable section and engageable in said keyways, theinner end of said slidable section having tensioned portionsfrictionally engaging the inner walls of said main section to maintainthe parts against accidental movement in all of their adjusted positionsand said sections having a relatively snug fit one with the other toresist rattle of said parts.

5. A radio antenna structure for use on a vehicle in conjunction with aradio receiving set, comprising a main section and a slidable sectiontelescoped within the main section, a keyway or keyways formed in onesection and extending longitudinally thereof, and a lug or lugs formedon the other section and engageable in said keyway or keyways, saidslidable section having a spring-like split inner end held undercompression within the main section.

6. A radio antenna structure for use on a vehicle in conjunction with aradio receiving set, comprising a main section and a slidable sectiontelescoped within the main section, keyways formed in said main sectionand extending longitudinally thereof, a bushing interposed between themain and slidable sections at one end of the main section, and outwardprojections carried by said slidable section and engageable with thekeyways, the lower end of said slidable section having spring fingersheld under compression by engagement with the adjacent walls of the mainsection.

'7. A radio antenna structure for use on a vehicle in conjunction with aradio receiving set, comprising a main section and a slidable sectiontelescoped within the main section, a pair of keyways formed in saidmain section and extending longitudinally thereof, and a pair of outwardprojections carried by said slidable section and engageable with thekeyways, the lower end of said slidable section having spring fingersheld under compression by engagement with the adjacent Walls of the mainsection.

CHARLES E. ASKE, JR.

